Biographical material, correspondence, and a small collection of Tillotson's publications, including an original manuscript of music to "Twilight Song;" photographs, a collection of concert programs for events in which Tillotson was involved, scrapbooks of Tillotson's time at Bowdoin, and an LP album "A Concert by Frederic Tillotson."

Preferred Citation

Biographical/Historical Note

Frederic Erle Thornlay Tillotson (1897-1963) was a renowned concert pianist, composer, and conductor, who taught music at Bowdoin College from 1936 until his death in 1963. He received an honorary degree from Bowdoin in 1946. At Bowdoin, Tillotson organized the Bowdoin Music Club; the Meddiebempsters, an augmented double quartet; and the Interfraternity Sing; and directed the Bowdoin Glee Club. Within the local community Tillotson also organized the Brunswick Choral Society.

Scope and Content

Biographical material, correspondence, and a small collection of Tillotson's publications, including an original manuscript of music to "Twilight Song," composed by Tillotson for the 150th anniversary of Bowdoin College, and "The Common Practice of Materials and Forms: A College Introductory Course in Music." Also included are photographs, a collection of concert programs for events in which Tillotson was involved, scrapbooks of Tillotson's time at Bowdoin, and an LP album "A Concert by Frederic Tillotson."

Collection Inventory

Series Description:

Biographical data on Tillotson's life through 1946 and miscellaneous materials including a syllabus for Music I, Bowdoin College, Fall Semester, 1963.

Box

Folder

1

1

Biographical and miscellaneous material, 1943-1963, n.d.

M203.2 Correspondence, 1928-1961, n.d. 2.0 folders

Series Description:

Correspondence with Tillotson chiefly concerning the arrangement of lectures and performances at Bowdoin. Notable correspondents include Aaron Copeland and Samuel Barber.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Box

Folder

1

2

1928-1939

1

3

1940-1961, n.d.

M203.3 Compositions, 1911-1944, n.d. 2.0 folders 2 folders & 1 volume

Series Description:

Manuscript of music to "Twilight Song," composed by Tillotson in honor of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bowdoin College. Also included are manuscript copies of compositions by John L. Roberts.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Box

Folder

1

4

1911, n.d., Compositions by John L. Roberts

1

5

[1944], "Twilight Song," mss.

Volume-folio

1

[1944], "Twilight Song," orchestral score

M203.4 Writings, 1928-1957 2.0 folders

Series Description:

Two early articles by Tillotson as well as a typescript copy of Tillotson's "The Common Practice of Materials and Forms: A College Introductory Course in Music" and associated documents relating to copyright of Tillotson publications.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Box

Folder

1

6

1928-1931, Miscellaneous publications

1

7

1944-1957, Copyright materials

Volume

2

1957, "The Common Practice of Materials and Forms: A College Introductory Course in Music"

M203.5 Programs, 1921-1961, n.d. 8.0 folders

Series Description:

Concert programs for events in which Tillotson was involved. Included is material about performances by Bowdoin musical groups and Tillotson's own performances as a pianist.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Box

Folder

1

8

1921-1927

1

9

1928

1

10

1929

1

11

1930-1934

1

12

1935

1

13

1936-1961

1

14-15

n.d.

M203.6 Clippings, Images, and Scrapbooks, 1910-1963, n.d. 9.0 folders

Series Description:

Newspaper clippings about and announcements of events in which Tillotson was involved. Included is material about Bowdoin musical groups and Tillotson's own performances as a pianist. Images are of Tillotson, his family and friends, and Bowdoin musical groups.

Arrangement:

Clippings and scrapbooks arranged by material type, then chronologically; images arranged by subject and size.